However, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra
cautioned against reading too much into the rehab sessions for Bosh,
who is out indefinitely with a complicated strain sustained late in the
second quarter of Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern
Conference semifinals.
The Heat play the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals tonight.
"There
is still not a timetable," Spoelstra said. "Really, it was more a
progression of his rehab than it was a basketball workout. But I could
see how it would be interpreted different. It's more rehab-oriented."
Spoelstra
admitted that it was a positive sign that Bosh was able to take the
next step in a possible return to the court during the postseason, but
also said, "I wouldn't over-read into his workout. We'll continue to
re-evaluate him every day. He'll continue to do his rehab. When he
starts legitimate basketball work, I'll pay attention a little bit
more."
Playoff injuries have played a major
role in the postseason with serious injuries sidelining significant
players, including Bosh, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and New York Knicks guard Baron Davis.
The
Celtics also are dealing with injuries. Guard Ray Allen has an injured
right ankle that may require surgery in the offseason and his
availability has been monitored closely.
Allen averaged 31.9 minutes and 8.9 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals. But he shot just 38.3% from the field, including a very un-Allen-like 26.5% on three-pointers.
"We don't know game to game with him," Celtics coach Doc Rivers
said. "We don't know how he's feeling, then we don't know how he's
going to deal with it during the game. The way we coached him so far is
with the eye. That's how we have to coach him. We have to watch him.
"If
we feel like he's moving enough to help us, we keep him on the floor.
If he's not moving enough, then we take him off the floor."
Rivers
said the coaching staff debated keeping Allen on the court in Game 7
against the Sixers. Some coaches thought it was time to take him out.
"Honestly,
it's just luck sometimes," Rivers said. "We left him in, and he made
two threes. But the hook was close, I can tell you that."
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